Trump Ushers Shipbuilding Into White House

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in a dry dock walk through in Newport News, VA, April 3, 2024. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Perez)

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff.

As part of his sweeping national address Tuesday night, President Donald Trump promised to establish a new office of shipbuilding within the White House to revitalize the industry and bolster American naval strength, reports Defense News. The vow was included among broader plans to “boost our defense industrial base” for America.

The Trump administration is loosening restrictions on military airstrikes by giving commanders more autonomy to make lethal decisions, reports Military Times. The new rules allow high-ranking military officers to fire without White House approval at previously designated terrorist targets.

Lockheed Martin is out of the running for the US Navy’s sixth-generation fighter jet program, according to Breaking Defense, leaving the race to Northrop Grumman and Boeing to replace the F/A-18 and E/A-18 with a new air superiority fighter.

The Veterans Administration plans to lay off as many as 83,000 employees this year, reports NextGov. The cuts will be sweeping and spare no part of the department, VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek said. His staffing level target is FY19 with 399,000 workers. VA currently employs 482,000 staff—459,000 full-time workers—meaning a slash upward of 83,000.

Voice-controlled drones are a game changer and Primordial Labs recently demonstrated the capability, reports Defense News. Lee Ritholtz, CEO and co-founder with Adrian Pope, both with roots at Lockheed’s Skunk Works, set out to tackle problems in human-machine interactions on the battlefield, such as replacing two sticks with verbal commands.

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and its crew of more than 3,000 will move to Norfolk by April 2026, reports USNI News. The Nimitz will make one last homeport change, from Bremerton, WA, to Norfolk, VA. The nearly 50-year-old aircraft carrier is set to decommission in May 2026.

Trump appointed Hung Cao, a special ops vet as under secretary of the Navy, reports Military Times. Cao, a graduate of the Naval Academy, deployed with special operations forces to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia during his 25-year military career. His appointment followed a hearing for businessman John Phelan, the NavSec nominee who has no military experience. Cao immigrated from Vietnam in 1975 and also spent time in West Africa during his childhood.

Trump’s nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy, Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official, wouldn’t say that Russia invaded Ukraine. Billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg also wouldn’t do so in his confirmation hearing to be deputy DefSec. DefSec Pete Hegseth says it wouldn’t help end the war, reports Defense News.

The US Space Force may reactivate an abandoned rocket launching site on an abandoned atoll to test if rockets can move military supplies much more rapidly, reports The War Zone. The abandoned Johnston Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about 860 miles southwest of Hawaii, has a notorious history involving nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

The General Services Administration deleted its Technology Transformation Services, which helps other agencies with their technology, reports NextGov. Thomas Shedd, director of TTS, e-mailed staff, “The 18F Office has been identified as …  non-critical.” TTS began the same year as the US Digital Service, which has since been transformed into DOGE.

About 3,000 more active-duty troops head to the US-Mexico border, including elements of a Stryker brigade combat team and a general support aviation battalion, reports Military Times. Strykers are medium-armored wheeled personnel carriers. About 9,200 troops are already at the southern border, about 4,200 deployed under federal orders and 5,000 National Guard troops under the control of governors.

Civil rights attorneys sued the Trump administration Saturday to prevent it from transferring 10 migrants detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and filed statements from men held there who said they were mistreated there in conditions that of one of them called “a living hell,” reports AP News.

Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine, reports AP News, seeking to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in peace talks with Russia. A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, added that the US was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”

The suspension of that aid doesn’t mean Ukraine’s defenses will quickly collapse but it’s a major blow to remove some of the most formidable weapons in Ukraine’s battlefield arsenal. AP News looks at implications of the US decision to halt aid to Ukraine.

Defense News reports the executive arm of the European Union proposed freeing up around $841 billion in defense spending over the next four years, as the continent prepares to face Russian aggression and help Ukraine to defend itself.

The UK placed an order worth as much as $2 billion with Thales to supply more than 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine, reports Defense News.

Norway has received three new F-35A aircraft, marking the delivery of 49 fighters, with the remaining three planned to be shipped before summer, reports Defense News.

Commerce Sec Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that government spending could be separated from gross domestic product reports, reports Military.com, potentially obscuring DOGE cuts and distorting a fundamental measure of the US economy’s health which traditionally includes changes in taxes, spending, deficits, and regulations by the government.

Veterans Affairs leaders reprieved nearly 300 but will still eliminate 585 professional service contracts they insist will save $900 million without compromising any support for veterans, says Military Times. The week before department officials touted plans to terminate around 875 wasteful contracts with an estimated savings of $2 billion.

The third Black female soldier to reach the rank of lieutenant general, LTGEN Telita Crosland, the fourth director of the Defense Health Agency, unexpectedly retired last week. The surprise announcement from the Pentagon on Friday gave no reason for her departure. She had been scheduled to speak Monday at the AMSUS Society of Federal Health Professionals’ annual meeting. Military Times.com also reports, “independent media” were, also unexpectedly, excluded from the AMSUS meeting that brings health leadership and military medical professionals together to share ideas.

In the scrubbing of digital content of diversity, inclusion, or equality efforts in the US military, the Army chose keywords justice, dignity, and respect to purge images and videos featuring women and minority soldiers from official platforms, reports Military.com.

The Army is facing $210 million in claims from 42 soldiers and veterans who say they were victims of MAJ Michael Stockin, the Army doctor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, serving a nearly 14-year sentence for sexually abusing patients, reports Stars and Stripes.

An unprecedented move by Chinese warships to “circumnavigate” Australian territory has touched a nerve, as the country grows increasingly concerned about China’s reach and intentions in the region, reports Military.com.

Contracts:

Compass Systems Inc., Lexington Park, Maryland, is awarded a $25,373,304 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0042125F0151) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N6833522G0012). This order provides for development, testing, and evaluation of command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality technology maturation in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III Topic N201-015 titled, “Autonomous and Intelligent Aircraft Maintenance Technologies” for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Divisions (NAWCAD) Advanced Technology Development Department. Work will be performed in Chincoteague, Virginia (25%); Yuma, Arizona (20%) (labor surplus area); Lexington Park, Maryland (15%); Prosper, Texas (15%) (labor surplus area); Laurel, Maryland (15%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (5%); San Diego, California (2%); Tampa, Florida (2%); and Huachuca City, Arizona (1%), and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competed. NAWCAD, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp. a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $126,994,246 modification (P00045) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001922C0041). This modification exercises options to provide continued flight test support to include administrative, maintenance, and test preparation for training systems labs, flight test labs, and Autonomic Logistics Information System/Operational Data Integrated Network labs in support of testing of new capabilities for the F-35 air system for the Air Force, Navy, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative program partners. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30%); Palmdale, California (26%); Patuxent River, Maryland (23%); Orlando, Florida (11%); San Diego, California (3%); Linthicum, Maryland (2%); Manchester, New Hampshire (2%); Los Angeles, California (1%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (1%); and various locations within the continental US (1%) and expected to be completed in March 2026. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,881,123; and non-US DoD cooperative program partners in the amount of $2,868,878, will be obligated at the time of award, $12,881,123 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is being awarded a $98,585,373 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00002) to a previously awarded and announced contract (N00030247002) for support services for Nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Weapons Surety, Policy, and Compliance. Tasks to be performed include systems engineering and system integration, test/flight test engineering, modeling and simulation, prototyping oversight, system design documentation, interface management, configuration management, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, executive nuclear weapon subject matter expert support (SME), tactical nuclear weapons SME support, and program management and acquisition support services for the program. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia (82%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (4%); Sunnyvale, California (4%); Washington, D.C. (2%); Kings Bay, Georgia (2%); Silverdale, Washington (2%); Centennial, Colorado (2%); and Magna, Utah (2%). Work is expected to be completed on July 11, 2028. This contract will be awarded subject to the availability of funds and no funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract is awarded as a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Teledyne FLIR Defense Inc., Elkridge, Maryland, was awarded a $23,383,375 firm-fixed-price contract for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade Capability Set 2.1 test assets, logistics support equipment and ancillary services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Elkridge, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2026. Fiscal 2025 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $23,383,375 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911SR-25-F-0020).

Textron Systems Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $15,068,510 modification (P00002) to a firm-fixed-price order (N0001924F0105) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0008). This modification exercises options to continue to provide unmanned aircraft systems intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and domestic and overseas contingency operations for the Navy. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland (20%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (80%), and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,068,510 will be obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The order that is being modified was competed via a limited sources competition. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Kira AAR Logistics Services JV LLC, Falls Church, Virginia, is awarded a not-to-exceed $98,000,000 firm fixed-price undefinitized indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for in-flight training and currency for Naval Aviators in support of E-6B Mercury pilot training. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is expected to be in completed March 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042125D0079).

Davis Memorial Goodwill Industries, Washington, DC, was awarded a $19,644,897 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for base custodial services. This contract provides for all base custodial services with a base year and four option year periods. Work will be performed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC, and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The 11th Contracting Squadron, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (FA7060-25-D-0001).

BSNB LLC, doing business as Centurion Secure Global, Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a sole-source, single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, contract for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) assembly and support indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity. The ceiling value of this action is $9,000,000 using operations and maintenance funds. The contract will procure Centurion Secure Vault Series modular SCIFs and support services, which includes task order management, SCIF design, assembly, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical systems, monitoring, disassembly, transportation, storage, interior furnishings, and non-recurring work, such as service calls and repairs. Performance will primarily be within the National Capital Region with other locations throughout the continental US and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2030. The solicitation was sent via email directly to the contractor, and the proposal was received Feb. 25, 2025. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Fort Meade, Maryland, is the contracting activity (HC104725D4000). (Awarded Feb. 28, 2025)

Tekla Research Inc., Dumfries, Virginia, is awarded an $8,000,000 modification (P00020) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0042118D0015). This modification increases the contract ceiling to provide continued systems engineering and technical services in support of air and ship integration, systems safety, mass properties, survivability, manufacturing and quality, air platform stores integration, metrology and systems security engineering for various Naval Air programs. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (75.96%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (9.62%); Tucson, Arizona (4.81%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (1.92%); Ridgecrest, California (1.92%); Bangkok, Thailand (0.96%); and various locations within the continental US (4.81%), and is expected to be completed April 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This modification was not competed. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

CACI Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, is being awarded a $7,667,734 task order (N68836-25-F-3000) under a previously awarded SeaPort E-MAC contract (N00178-19-D-7295) for professional and management services for the Naval Aviation Production Process Sustainment in support of the Chief of Naval Air Training. This contract includes a 12-month base period with three 12-month option periods and a six-month extension period in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.218-8 option to extend services, which if exercised, will bring the total estimated value to $36,019,142. Primary work will be completed in Pensacola, Florida (32%); Corpus Christi, Texas (15%); and San Diego, California (11%); with the remaining work (42%) spread among various continental US locations that cannot be specifically determined at this time: Virginia, California, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Washington. Base period is expected to be completed by March 2026; if all options on the contract are exercised, work will be completed by September 2029. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds (Navy) in the amount of $4,957,205 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was solicited as a 100% full and open competition on SeaPort with two offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.